Scattered across more than 200 remote islands in Micronesia, Palau is home to dramatic walls and vibrant coral reefs that make it a dream liveaboard destination. The Ocean Hunter III is the latest (and most luxurious) addition to the renowned Ocean Hunter liveaboard fleet, having been meticulously designed by divers, for divers.

In addition to diving the marine species-rich waters of Palau, the Ocean Hunter III also makes special trips to Yap, the Northern Marianas and the islands of Papua New Guinea. It boasts state-of-the-art technology, including an underwater scooter and 1200 Watt lights to illuminate corals, caves and wrecks, creating an unforgettable Palau liveaboard experience.

Accommodation onboard Ocean Hunter III

There are eight cabins catering to just 16 guests spread out over the Upper and Lower Decks. All feature en-suite bathrooms with a shower and quiet Microphor toilet heads, together with plenty of storage space and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Master State Rooms

There are two Master State Rooms on the Upper Deck, with a king-size double bed, spacious living quarters and private TV with a DVD player.

Deluxe Cabins
There are four Deluxe Cabins on the Lower Deck, equipped with a king-size double bed and single bunk above.

Standard Cabins
The two Standard Cabins are situated on the Lower Deck and feature a queen-size double bed and single bunk above.

Dining onboard Ocean Hunter III

With a menu created by renowned chef Tova Har-el (an experienced diver who cooked on the very

first Palau liveaboard), you’ll be well catered for onboard the Ocean Hunter III. The daily menu features low-fat, fiber-rich meals and a diverse array of cuisines that include Palauan, Italian, Mediterranean, French and Japanese.

Gourmet coffee and tea are served with fresh pastries prior to the morning dive, with a full breakfast of cereals, tropical fruits and cooked items ready on your return. A delicious buffet lunch of hearty salads and hot dishes await following the third dive of the day, with freshly-made tropical fruit smoothies and snacks available in the afternoon.

A more formal dinner is served after the night dive, beginning with a gourmet soup and followed by fresh salads and the international dish of the day. Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notification, while alcoholic drinks and sodas are available for purchase from the onboard bar.

Amenities

The Ocean Hunter III features a luxurious salon for divers to relax in at the end of the day, with a 48” flat screen TV and a good selection of DVDs, together with a well-stocked library and board games. Underwater photographers are also catered for, with a spacious working area and powerful PCs for video and photo editing. Meals are served in the wood-finished dining room, with comfortable padded seating at its four communal tables.

The spacious Sun Deck boasts ample loungers where you can kick back between dives, as well as two heated jacuzzis to relax in. The

Wheelhouse is equipped with the latest technology to ensure your safety, including three separate GPS systems, 3D bottom scanners and a satellite phone.

Diving with Ocean Hunter III

Dives are conducted from the Ocean Hunter III’s spacious dive deck, which features individual storage bins and plenty of room for divers to move around amidst the tanks. There’s a filling station that can provide gas mixing for Trimix, Nitrox and blends of up to 100% oxygen, as well as a semi-dry Gear Room with 415/220/110V outlets for charging cameras and batteries. The dive deck also features warm, freshwater showers on the dive deck for when you return.

In addition to its dive deck, the Ocean Hunter III also has a purpose-built 35-foot rigid hull chase boat to access dive sites when weather conditions require it. It’s well equipped with twin 225 HP Yamaha four-stroke engines and a VHF marine radio.

Up to five dives are offered each day, including a night dive in the evenings, with the Ocean Hunter III visiting all of Palau’s most famous dives sites. Small group sizes and buddy diving means you can stay underwater as long as you like, with at least one divemaster in the water on each dive to guide, guard and assist.

This Ocean Hunter liveaboard welcomes all level of divers, with experienced instructors available for those who are relatively new to the sport and Nitrox certification available on board (requiring four hours of theory, two instructor-led Nitrox dives and a final exam). All gear is available for rent with prior notice, with the Ocean Hunter III using fully-serviced Aqualung equipment.

Palau experiences a tropical climate, with the rains heaviest between July and October when visibility can reduce to around 50 feet (15 meters). December to April offers the best diving conditions and visibility up to around 130+ feet (40+ meters). Water temperatures hover around 82/84°F (28/29°C) throughout the year, meaning that a 3mm shortie wetsuit is usually sufficient.